Sixth+Caluri+7

= = =__**FACTS**__=
 * The right to a fair and speedy trial.
 * The accused shall be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation.
 * James Madison thought of the idea for this amendment.
 * It was ratified in December of 1791 by the states.
 * There were debates between federalists and antifederalists over the constitution at the time when this amendment was made.
 * People are allowed to choose what lawyer they want to defend them.
 * If the person cannot afford a lawyer, then the court will appoint one to them.
 * The reason for this amendment is to give specific rights to a person accused of criminal actions.
 * This amendment solves the problem of unfair trials.

=__LINKS__= [|link to page that contains amendments to the bill of rights]

=__**CURRENT EVENTS**__=

__Brittani's: 4th Circuit Rules Death-row Inmate Can Pursue Juror Bias Claim in N.C.__ This current event is about a man on death row. One of the jurors was a close relative to him, and he let the inmate get away with his trial case. Judge Robert B. King states, "Juror Waddell's relationship to co-defendent Harrington necassarily affected the fairness of Conaway's trial." He also said that the state and federal courts had denied Conaway an opportunity to argue his claim that his Sixth Amendment right to trial by an impartial jury was violated. In my opinion, I think that the defendent should have been acccused as guilty in the first place. Just because one of the jurors was his relative, doesn't mean he can get away with everything.

__Timmy's: Slugger Bonds adds to his defensive team, East Bay Lawyers Choosen__ This article tells how major league baseball player, Barry Bonds has chosen more lawyers to defend him for his upcoming appearence in court. The lawyers he has choosen are very well known and are ready to defend Bonds against whatever comes at him. This shows the amendment still being used today because Bonds, being the accused, gets to choose who will defend him in court. I agree with the purpose of this amendment because it gives the accused rights to a fair trial which will give him or her a chance to prove innocent or stay guilty. If this amendment didnt exist people would be accused of something and get penalized without any say.

__Miriam's: Criminal Prosecution To Speedy Trials__ This article is about how the accused have the right to a quick trial and has the right to a publical trial. The state can not put them in a warehouse. The state and district in the crime shall have been committed. This article also talks about the trial also must be held by an impartial jury. The jurors can not be prejudiced. I agree with this amendment because it gives the accused one right and equal rights to the accused. Also I agree because it is fair what the state is doing to the accused one.